Footwear Covering Assembly

ABSTRACT

A footwear covering assembly for protecting surfaces includes a panel. The panel is shaped substantially complementarily to an outsole of an item of footwear. The panel is flexible and substantially impermeable to water. An adhesive is coupled to an upper surface of the panel. The adhesive is dry and moisture activated. The adhesive is configured to contact the outsole of the item of the footwear so that the adhesive is activated. The adhesive is configured to couple the panel to the outsole. The panel is configured to retain debris and moisture between the panel and the outsole to protect surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to footwear covering assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new footwear covering assembly for protecting surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a panel. The panel is shaped substantially complementarily to an outsole of an item of footwear. The panel is flexible and substantially impermeable to water. An adhesive is coupled to an upper surface of the panel. The adhesive is dry and moisture activated. The adhesive is configured to contact the outsole of the item of the footwear so that the adhesive is activated. The adhesive is configured to couple the panel to the outsole. The panel is configured to retain debris and moisture between the panel and the outsole to protect surfaces.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a footwear covering assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new footwear covering assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the footwear covering assembly 10 generally comprises a panel 12. The panel 12 is shaped substantially complementarily to an outsole of an item of footwear. The panel 12 is flexible and substantially impermeable to water. In one embodiment, the panel 12 comprises rubber.

An adhesive 14 is coupled to an upper surface 16 of the panel 12. The adhesive 14 is dry. The adhesive 14 is moisture activated. The adhesive 14 is configured to contact the outsole of the item of the footwear so that the adhesive 14 is activated. The adhesive 14 is configured to couple the panel 12 to the outsole. The panel 12 is configured to retain debris and moisture between the panel 12 and the outsole to protect surfaces. In one embodiment, the adhesive 14 is positioned to substantially cover the upper surface 16.

A plurality of first perforations 18 is positioned through the panel 12. The first perforations 18 are positioned proximate to a circumference 20 of the panel 12. The first perforations 18 define an inner section 22 and an outer section 24 of the panel 12. The first perforations 18 are configured to selectively separate the inner section 22 from the outer section 24 to size the panel 12 to fit the outsole.

A plurality of second perforations 26 is positioned through the panel 12. The second perforations 26 are positioned between opposing edges 28 of the panel 12. The second perforations 26 define a rear section 30 and a front section 32 of the panel 12. The rear section 30 is substantially complementary to a raised heel on the outsole. The second perforations 26 are configured to selectively separate the rear section 30 from the front section 32 to accommodate the raised heel on the outsole.

In one embodiment, the assembly 10 comprises a housing 34 that defines an internal space 36. The housing 34 has a top 38 that is open. The top 38 is positioned to insert a plurality of the panels 12. The adhesive 14 of each panel 12 is upwardly positioned. The panels 12 are sequentially couplable to respective outsoles. In another embodiment, the housing 34 is substantially rectangularly box shaped. In yet another embodiment, a wall 40 is positioned in the internal space 36. The wall 40 is coupled to and extends between opposing sides 42 of the housing 34. The wall 40 defines a first compartment 44 and a second compartment 46. The first compartment 44 is positioned to stack a respective plurality of the panels 12 that is configured to couple singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear that is positioned on a left foot of a user. The second compartment 46 positioned to stack a respective plurality of the panels 12 that is configured to couple singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear that is positioned on a right foot of the user.

A spring hinge 48 is coupled to a rim 50 of the housing 34. A lid 52 that is complementary to the top 38 is coupled to the spring hinge 48. The lid 52 is biased to an open configuration wherein the lid 52 is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the top 38. The lid 52 is selectively couplable to the housing 34 to cover the top 38.

A latch 54 is coupled to the lid 52. The latch 54 is selectively couplable to the housing 34. The latch 54 is positioned to couple to the housing 34 to position the lid 52 to cover the top 38 of the housing 34. A handle 70 is coupled to and extends from the lid 52. The handle 70 is configured to be grasped in a hand of the user to motivate the lid relative to the housing 12. A blade 56 is coupled to and extends from the handle 70. The blade 56 is positioned to separate the outer section 24 from the inner section 22 of the panel 12 along the first perforations 18. The blade 56 also is positioned to separate the rear section 30 from the front section 32 of the panel 12 along the second perforations 26.

In one embodiment, the assembly 10 an absorbent 58 that is configured to position water. The absorbent 58 is configured to transfer water to moisten the outsole. The outsole is configured to activate the adhesive 14. In another embodiment, the absorbent 58 comprises a sponge 60. The sponge 60 is dimensionally larger than the outsole.

A plurality of first couplers 62 is coupled to the absorbent 58. A plurality of second couplers 64 is coupled to an inner surface 66 of the lid 52. The second couplers 64 are complementary to the first couplers 62. The second couplers 64 are positioned to couple to the first couplers 62 to couple the absorbent 58 to the lid 52. In one embodiment, each first coupler 62 and a respective second coupler 64 comprise a hook and loop fastener 68.

In use, the lid 52 is biased to the open configuration such that the lid 52 is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the top 38. The first compartment 44 is positioned to stack the respective plurality of the panels 12 that is configured to couple singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear that is positioned on the left foot of the user. The second compartment 46 is positioned to stack the respective plurality of the panels 12 that is configured to couple to the outsole of the item of the footwear that is positioned on the right foot of the user. The second couplers 64 positioned on the lid 52 are positioned to couple to the first couplers 62 to couple the absorbent 58 to the lid 52. The absorbent 58 is configured to transfer water to moisten the outsole. The outsole is configured to activate the adhesive 14. The adhesive 14 is configured to couple the panel 12 to the outsole. The first perforations 18 positioned in the panel 12 are configured to selectively separate the inner section 22 from the outer section 24 to size the panel 12 to fit the outsole. The second perforations 26 positioned in the panel 12 are configured to selectively separate the rear section 30 from the front section 32 to accommodate the raised heel on the outsole. The blade 56 positioned on the handle 70 is positioned to separate the outer section 24 from the inner section 22 of the panel 12 along the first perforations 18. The blade 56 also is positioned to separate the rear section 30 from the front section 32 of the panel 12 along the second perforations 26. The panel 12 is configured to retain debris and moisture between the panel 12 and the outsole to protect surfaces.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A footwear covering assembly comprising: a panel, said panel being shaped substantially complementarily to an outsole of an item of footwear, said panel being flexible, said panel being substantially impermeable to water; an adhesive coupled to an upper surface of said panel, said adhesive being dry, said adhesive being moisture activated; and wherein said adhesive is positioned on said panel such that said adhesive is configured for contacting the outsole of the item of the footwear such that said adhesive is activated, wherein said adhesive is configured for coupling said panel to the outsole such that said panel is configured for retaining debris and moisture between said panel and the outsole for protecting surfaces.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, further including said panel comprising rubber.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, further including said adhesive being positioned to substantially cover said upper surface.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of first perforations positioned through said panel, said first perforations being positioned proximate to a circumference of said panel defining an inner section and an outer section of said panel, wherein said first perforations are positioned in said panel such that said first perforations are configured for selectively separating said inner section from said outer section for sizing said panel to fit the outsole.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of second perforations positioned through said panel, said second perforations being positioned between opposing edges of said panel defining a rear section and a front section of said panel, said rear section being substantially complementary to a raised heel on the outsole, wherein said second perforations are positioned in said panel such that said second perforations are configured for selectively separating said rear section from said front section for accommodating the raised heel on the outsole.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, further including a housing defining an internal space, said housing having a top, said top being open, wherein said top is positioned in said housing such that said top is positioned for inserting a plurality of said panels such that said adhesive of each said panel is upwardly positioned, wherein said panels are positioned in said housing such that said panels are sequentially couplable to respective outsoles.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, further including said housing being substantially rectangularly box shaped.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, further including a wall positioned in said internal space, said wall being coupled to and extending between opposing sides of said housing defining a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first compartment is positioned in said housing such that said first compartment is positioned for stacking a respective plurality of said panels configured for coupling singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear positioned on a left foot of a user, and wherein said second compartment is positioned in said housing such that said second compartment is positioned for stacking a respective plurality of said panels configured for coupling singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear positioned on a right foot of the user.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a spring hinge coupled to a rim of said housing; a lid complementary to said top, said lid being coupled to said spring hinge such that said lid is biased to an open configuration wherein said lid is positioned substantially perpendicularly to said top, said lid being selectively couplable to said housing to cover said top; a handle coupled to and extending from said lid, wherein said handle is positioned on said lid such that said handle is configured for grasping in a hand of the user for motivating said lid relative to said housing; a latch coupled to said lid, said latch being selectively couplable to said housing; and wherein said latch is positioned on said lid such that said latch is positioned for coupling to said housing for positioning said lid for covering said top of said housing.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, further including a blade coupled to and extending from said handle, wherein said blade is positioned on said handle such that said blade is positioned for separating said outer section from said inner section of said panel along said first perforations and wherein said blade is positioned for separating said rear section from said front section of said panel along said second perforations.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, further including an absorbent configured for positioning water, wherein said absorbent is configured for transferring water for moistening the outsole such that the outsole is configured for activating said adhesive.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, further including said absorbent comprising a sponge, said sponge being dimensionally larger than the outsole.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of first couplers coupled to said absorbent; a plurality of second couplers coupled to an inner surface of said lid, said second couplers being complementary to said first couplers; and wherein said second couplers are positioned on said lid such that said second couplers are positioned for coupling to said first couplers for coupling said absorbent to said lid.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, further including each said first coupler and a respective said second coupler comprising a hook and loop fastener.
 15. A footwear covering assembly comprising: a panel, said panel being shaped substantially complementarily to an outsole of an item of footwear, said panel being flexible, said panel being substantially impermeable to water, said panel comprising rubber; an adhesive coupled to an upper surface of said panel, said adhesive being dry, said adhesive being moisture activated, wherein said adhesive is positioned on said panel such that said adhesive is configured for contacting the outsole of the item of the footwear such that said adhesive is activated, wherein said adhesive is configured for coupling said panel to the outsole such that said panel is configured for retaining debris and moisture between said panel and the outsole for protecting surfaces, said adhesive being positioned to substantially cover said upper surface; a plurality of first perforations positioned through said panel, said first perforations being positioned proximate to a circumference of said panel defining an inner section and an outer section of said panel, wherein said first perforations are positioned in said panel such that said first perforations are configured for selectively separating said inner section from said outer section for sizing said panel to fit the outsole; a plurality of second perforations positioned through said panel, said second perforations being positioned between opposing edges of said panel defining a rear section and a front section of said panel, said rear section being substantially complementary to a raised heel on the outsole, wherein said second perforations are positioned in said panel such that said second perforations are configured for selectively separating said rear section from said front section for accommodating the raised heel on the outsole; a housing defining an internal space, said housing having a top, said top being open, wherein said top is positioned in said housing such that said top is positioned for inserting a plurality of said panels such that said adhesive of each said panel is upwardly positioned, wherein said panels are positioned in said housing such that said panels are sequentially couplable to respective outsoles, said housing being substantially rectangularly box shaped; a wall positioned in said internal space, said wall being coupled to and extending between opposing sides of said housing defining a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first compartment is positioned in said housing such that said first compartment is positioned for stacking a respective plurality of said panels configured for coupling singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear positioned on a left foot of a user, and wherein said second compartment is positioned in said housing such that said second compartment is positioned for stacking a respective plurality of said panels configured for coupling singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear positioned on a right foot of the user; a spring hinge coupled to a rim of said housing; a lid complementary to said top, said lid being coupled to said spring hinge such that said lid is biased to an open configuration wherein said lid is positioned substantially perpendicularly to said top, said lid being selectively couplable to said housing to cover said top; a latch coupled to said lid, said latch being selectively couplable to said housing, wherein said latch is positioned on said lid such that said latch is positioned for coupling to said housing for positioning said lid for covering said top of said housing; a handle coupled to and extending from said lid, wherein said handle is positioned on said lid such that said handle is configured for grasping in a hand of the user for motivating said lid relative to said housing; a blade coupled to and extending from said handle, wherein said blade is positioned on said handle such that said blade is positioned for separating said outer section from said inner section of said panel along said first perforations and wherein said blade is positioned for separating said rear section from said front section of said panel along said second perforations; an absorbent configured for positioning water, wherein said absorbent is configured for transferring water for moistening the outsole such that the outsole is configured for activating said adhesive, said absorbent comprising a sponge, said sponge being dimensionally larger than the outsole; a plurality of first couplers coupled to said absorbent; a plurality of second couplers coupled to an inner surface of said lid, said second couplers being complementary to said first couplers, wherein said second couplers are positioned on said lid such that said second couplers are positioned for coupling to said first couplers for coupling said absorbent to said lid, each said first coupler and a respective said second coupler comprising a hook and loop fastener; and wherein said lid is biased to the open configuration such that said lid is positioned substantially perpendicularly to said top, wherein said first compartment is positioned in said housing such that said first compartment is positioned for stacking the respective plurality of said panels configured for coupling singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear positioned on the left foot of the user, and wherein said second compartment is positioned in said housing such that said second compartment is positioned for stacking the respective plurality of said panels configured for coupling singly to the outsole of the item of the footwear positioned on the right foot of the user, wherein said second couplers are positioned on said lid such that said second couplers are positioned for coupling to said first couplers for coupling said absorbent to said lid, wherein said absorbent is configured for transferring water for moistening the outsole such that the outsole is configured for activating said adhesive wherein said adhesive is positioned on said panel such that said adhesive is configured for coupling said panel to the outsole, wherein said first perforations are positioned in said panel such that said first perforations are configured for selectively separating said inner section from said outer section for sizing said panel to fit the outsole, wherein said second perforations are positioned in said panel such that said second perforations are configured for selectively separating said rear section from said front section for accommodating the raised heel on the outsole, wherein said blade is positioned on said latch such that said blade is positioned for separating said outer section from said inner section of said panel along said first perforations and wherein said blade is positioned for separating said rear section from said front section of said panel along said second perforations, wherein said panel is configured for retaining debris and moisture between said panel and the outsole for protecting surfaces. 